Shirt pressing machine



March 3, 1959 o. H. LANGEN ET AL 2,875,929

SHIRT PRESSING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 14. 1956 Arran/@ys "March 3, 1959 o. H. LANGEN ET 1. 2,875,929

SHIRT PRESSING MACHINE o. H. LANGi-:N x-:T AL

SHIRT PRESSING MACHINE Sheets-Sheet 3 Ma'rch 3, 1959 Filed May 14, 1956 Il l\ F 52B 5312's I! 55o .March 3, 1959 H, LANGEN 5T AL 2,875,929

SHIRT PREssING, MACHINE Filed Mayl 14, 1956 6 Sheef,s'-Shee'cI 4 INVENToR. 0.45 H. An/of BY /Mxow Z llo/sra lul/QM #fram/sys March 3, 1959 o. H. LANGEN E-'r AL 2,875,929

SHIRT PRESSING MACHINE Filed May 14. 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 \1 vE S SQL (uw H www M T MAMMA Hu i, H 1 www March 3, 1959 o. H. LANGEN ET AL SHIRT PREssING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 14, 1956 pressing machines disclosed f form subjected to ironing 2,815,929 snmr 4riutssrNG MACHINE ApplicationvMaylt, 1956, Serial No. 584,751 Claims. (Cl. 223-57) This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for pressing mens shirts and the like apparel and more particularly to improvements in that class of pressing machines which are especially contrived for pressing the body and yoke portions of the shirt in one lay.

The present invention constitutes improvements of that class of pressing machines which are exemplified by the in copending application Ser. No. 508,142 filed May 13, 1955 and now Patent 2,834,523, dated May 13, 1958, to which reference is here made and of which this application is a continuation-in-part.

UnitedStates Patent O In ironing shirts on machines such as those heretofore provided and as shown in application Ser. No. 508,142 the shirt comes 1to Ythe machine with the cuffs, sleeves, yoke and collar already ironed. The ironing operations necessary for finishing these portions of .the shirt are performed on other machines. Thus, cuffs and collar may be ironed on one machine; the sleeves on another machine and the yoke-on still another machine. These are separate machines and the presserheads and bucks of the various machines are shaped so that overlap of finished areas vwill result. Thus in ironing the cuffs, it is customary that an adjacent portion of the sleeves are also ironed so as to overlap'vthose portions of the sleeves which are ironed in a subsequent operation on the sleeve press. Similarly the .sleeve press (such as a modern one-lay sleever) will iron not only. the body of the sleeve but a shoulder portion reaching up onto what is essentially the yoke (or shoulder of the shirt). The yoke press in turn irons the shoulders, yoke and part of the front and back of the shirt reaching well into the bosom. Then when the shirt is placed on the form of a pressing machine such as shown in application'Ser. No. 508,142 the portions ironed overlap the already ironed yoke portions. The shirt comes of the final press in finished condition.

The foregoing sequence necessitates separate presses which of course, comprehends a separate yoke press, separate handling of the shirt and hence additional labor. It is an objective of the present invention to provide an improved pressing machine wherein those portions of the shirt which are commonly designated yoke and body are ironed in a single lay on one machine.

It is a further object to provide an improved pressing machine wherein shirts of widely varying sizes may be dressed upon a yoke and body form and while on the by means of a plurality of presser heads for finishing (ironing) the yoke and front and back body portions of the shirt.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved pressing machine for ironing machine wherein the yoke and front and back shirt portions are ironed by presser heads or devices which, under ironing pressure have closely fitted contiguous edges for minimizing the shirt area which is not contacted with ironing pressure and during the ironing operation to shift the presser heads vor devices slightly for ove v'initially-between said contiguous edges.

on and off the yoke press r-running the unironed area 2,875,929 Patented Mar. 3, 1959 ICC It is another object of the invention to provide an improved system of steam and condensate return lines for shirt pressing machines.

Other and further objects are those inherent in the invention herein illustrated and `described and will -be apparent as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, this invention then comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description setting forth in detail certain embodiments of the invention, these being indicative however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.

The invention is illustrated in the drawings in which the same numerals refer to corresponding parts and in which:

Throughout the drawings corresponding numerals refer to the same parts. Those numerals wherein the lead line is provided with an arrow are for generally designating a part or portion of the machine. Those numerals bearing an alphabetical suffix are related to the same part bearing the same number without a sufiix letter.

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a representative form of pressing machine of the present invention as viewed from the front and slightly from the left.

Figure 2 is a perspective view similar to that shown in Figure 1 but taken from the rear of the machine.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the yoke presser head and its actuating arms shown in pressing position. This view isr from above the machine and looking slightly down and rearward at the top of the housing at the pressing zone shown under bracket 3.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken in a vertical plane from front to rear, thru the -buck structure and shows the main and yoke presser heads in pressing position, 'but with the interior mechanism of the buck removed for clarity. This figure is a section taken at line 4 4 of Figure 5;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken in a vertical plane from side-to-side thru the lbuck strncture. In this view the yoke and rear main presser heads are in pressing position and the interior mechanisms and wings of the buck are shown in working position;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view corresponding to Figure 4 but showing a modified form of the invention;

Figure 7 is composed of two sheets marked Figure 7. (upper part) and Figure 7 (lower part), which should be placed together in these positions and considered as one view. Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of the air controls and circuits of the machine, showing in an illustrative manner the various cylinders of the pressing machine together with the controls for operating those cylinders. The various mechanisms operated by the cylinders are, where necessary, referred to in the description;

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view of the steam chests of the various bucks and heads and the manner in which the steam and condenate lines are connected to the chests.

In order to simplify the present specification it will be assumed that reference is made to application Ser. No. 508,142 led May 13, 1955, the whole of said application being incorporated herein by this reference. The exemplified embodiment of the present invention thus embody all of the features of construction of the machines covered by application Ser. No. 508,142 plusl the additional devices herein described, and onlyv general reference will be made to the construction details already fully disclosed in said application. yFor convenience the reference characters used herein correspond to those used on the same parts in the aforesaid application. I' Reference numerals of 500. and higher are used herein 'for i ser. No.

designated parts and elements herein, for which there are no counterparts in the aforesaid application.

General plan.-As stated in said application Ser. No. 508,142, the general plan of the machine may be seen in Figure l, in which the pressing machine comprises a station shown generally under the bracket 1 at which a shirt may be loaded upon and removed from an upright buck structure generally designated 2, and a cabinet shown generally under the bracket 3 which contains a pressing machine having main pressing heads, between which the buck 2 is transported, and the pressing operation carried out. The cabinet structure generally designated 4 is provided with an opening or slot 5 at its left side, at about the center line, the slot continuing at 5A along the upper surface 6 of the cabinet. Accordingly, the buck 2 with the shirt on it moves into the slot S-SA of the cabinet 4 and locates itself automatically in correct position between opposed presser heads. The cabinet is provided with a safety door at 8 which is movable by means of a handle 8A thereon. The operator pulls the safety door in the direction of the arrow 275 andV in so doing protects herself from the buck 2 during its course of movement into the slot 5-5A of the cabinet 4. The movement of the safety door 8 in direction 275' in addition to itsv safety function, acts as a control, in that it sets in motion the operating mechanisms which then progress automatically through a time sequence, the phases of which may be adjusted, and after the completion of the pressing operation the presser heads are opened, the buck 2 is transported to the position shown in Figure l, all of the clamps which had previously held the shirt in place are retracted and the pressed shirt may then be removed from the buck 2, the safety door 8 meanwhile being auto-V matically retracted.

I n Figure 1 the loading station under the bracket 1 hasfa table portion 10 at an elevation D above floor level,

such that the vertically disposed and movable buck structure 2 thereon will be at a convenient height for the operator standing at position 11 in front of the machine. The table 10 is provided with a slot at 10A aligned with and having dimensions corresponding to slot S-SA, which permits the buck supporting structure to extend upwardly from the carrier mechanism below the table 10 to and the bottom of the buck 2. The pressing machine cabinet has a protuberance at 12 functionally conforming to framing of the machine. All cabinet portions are in panels attached to interior framing by screws for convenient removal. The front and rear lower portions of the machine are covered by removable panels 14 in several sections as shown in Figures l and 2. The center sections 14A arefheld in place by screws and the end sections 14B and 114C are hinged at 15-15 and are provided with door latches at 16--16 by means of which they may be latched in place. This allows convenient access to the-mechanism in the lower part of the machine. Similar hinged door cabinet arrangements may be provided at the, rear of the machine or any other part thereof for access tothe mechanism.

In general terms, therefore it may be said in respect to the prior machine of application Ser. No. 508,142 that upon adequate framing, there is provided a loading station 1 and a pressing station 3 in compartment 4.

Thek compartment covers 14 (front and rear) enclose much ofthe mechanisms including air cylinders 78 which move the buck back and forth to and from the loading and pressingpositions and most of the controls. A heavy main pressing cylinder 232, thru cross head 237 and link 2.42 operates leverages to move the presser heads 36 and 37 against the buck 2 with heavy pressure whenr thelatter is at the pressing station, and when cylinder 232 lis exhausted springs (not shown). move the presser heads Y 36 and 37 apart and disengagethe buck 2.

The, buck 2 is of thesame form shown in application 508,142, except that the. following changes are made:

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the upper portion 52, which n said prior application Ser. No. 508,142 was just a frame member is here made in the form of a steam chest and is either padded (as shown in Figures 4 and 5 hereof), in which case the cooperating yoke presser head mechanism 500 is smoothly nished, or the chest 52 may be enlarged to blend into the; dimensions of the outer surface of the pads 50 and 51 on main buck members 40 and 41 respectively, as shown in Figure 6 hereof, and in that case the pressing surface of the yoke presser mechanism 500 (the under surface) is. padded. The desideratum is that the yoke portions of the shirt. should be pressed by a yoke presser mechanism at the same time and with the same shirt lay, as thel front andl back of the shirt is pressed by bucks 36 and 37. A

To accomplish these results the following modifications are made:

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the head frame member S2 is cored so as to provide a steam chest. having steam inlet 52A and condensate outlet 52B,` sce Figure 5. The exterior surface dependsv upon whether it. is to be padded as shown in Figures 4 and 5 or smooth as shown in Figure 6. The padded form is preferred', and as shown in Figures 4 and 5 and padding 50 (which covers the front main panel 40 of the buck) is simply run up and over the curved outer surface 52C of the yoke steam chest and buck frame member 52. In order to pass the upper end of rod 66A thru the member 52, there is provided an island 52D which is large enough to be drilled thru from top to bottom to pass the upper end of rod 66A but island 52D isA not big enough to obstruct the steam 52E chest, see Figure 4. They padding 50 isv cut out to pass the framing of collar clamp 109, which is attached to a central land on the upper front surface of member 52. The padding continues uninterrupt'edly` overl the top curved surface of' member 52` and joins` padding 51 which covers the rear main buck member 41. The padding over member 52v is designated 501 and` with paddings 50 and 51 covers the entire ironing surfaces of the front, back and yoke of the buck, exceptl for Wings 49K and 49L, which are the same as in application Ser. No. 508,142. The shoulder portion 501 of the padding is thinned out gradually where it passes over the top of yoke chest 52 isl thinner than paddings 50 and 51. A buck cover of nylon or other rm and durable fabric is slipped over the entire buck and firmly attached at the edges by suitable attachments not illustrated.

lt is noted that, as shown in Figures 4 and 6, the steam chests 44 and 45 are provided on the front and back body portions of the buck 2. These `are piped as shown in Figure 8.

The various buck mechanisms including tail clamp 37-137, collar clamp 109, Wings 49R and 49L, sleeve supports 136K vand 136L and mechanisms on the 'buck and on the machine generally, for operating. such buck mechanisms are constructed and operated as described in application Ser. No. 508,142.

The presser head for the yoke is generally designated 500 and is constructed as follows: From the main frame of` the machine there are run up in the back as shown in Figure 2, a pair of supports 502. which serve to support a pivot pin 504 upon which a rocker arm assembly generally designated 505, composed of two yarm pieces 505A and cross members 505B is pivotally attached. The arm pieces lare supportedV for rocking movement on pin 504. A spring 506 anchoredto frame pieces 502 and to one of the rear cross pieces 505B of army 505 n'o'rmally pulls the arm in the direction of arrow 508 to the open position which, isv determined by the adjustable bumper 509 mounted, on` frame pieces 502 and adapted to serve as'a stop. for a cooperating surface. on arm 5,05.

At the rear end ofj arm 505, is..a crossvsliaftzSlt) upon which the clevised end 511 of pistonl rod 512. pivots. The piston nod (and its, piston` not,` shown), operates-in duced into cylinder 4cylinder 514 the lower end of which is pivotally attached by pin 515 kto frame bracket'516. When air is intro- 514, the arm is rocked in the direction of arrow 518 toward pressing position.

The vfront cross frame member 505B of the rocker arm 505 is shaped as shown in Figure 3 and serves as a mounting for the yoke presser head generally designated 520. The latter is provided with -a steam jacket 521 to which flexible steam line 522 and condensate return line 524 are connected. The condensate return in port is located as low as practical.

vThe yoke presser head 520 is mounted on the presser arm 505 as detailed in Figure 4, as follows: On the upper surface of head 520 there is a land 525 in which two steel ball bearings 526 are seated by pressing into drilled pockets. These bearings 526 are aligned along a transverse axis thru the vertical center plane CP of the buck 2. (See Figure 4.) The underside of the front presser arm cross plate 505A is provided with shallow holes (dimples) into which the balls 526 can seat. Fore Aand aft from each -ball there is placed an upright stud 528 (four in all, see Figure 3), which are screwed into the land 525 of head 520 and passthru four appropriately located holes in plate 505A. The holes are big 'enough to allow the head 520 to rock on balls 526 without binding the studs.

Then above the cross plate 505A and around each stud are placed springs 529 which are held in place by washer and nut assemblies 530.

This mode of 'attachment provides adequate freedom of movement for the head 520 to seat on the yoke porti'o'n 52 of the buck 2.

It is noted that the yoke presser head 520 is provided with'a centralcutout, open from the front, which circumscribes the collar. It may be stated parenthetically that when the collar is pressed, it is the customary prac- 'tice to pressa slight marginal area of the yoke adjacent the collar-yoke seam and when the shirt is dressed onto buck 2, this already pressed area allows sufficient clearance to be taken around the c'ollar to permit movement of the yoke buck 52 without interference with the collar clamp mechanism 109. As stated in application Ser. No. 508,142, there is no collar island, as such, on buck 2, the supports for collar clamp 109 being a smaller 'generally rectangulai pad on the top front curved surface of yoke porti'o'n 52 of the buck. During pressing, the collar isat (not folded) and stands up out of the way land is curved around so as to overlap in front so as to get a smooth lay of the -garment on the buck 2.

The under surface of the yoke presser head Ias shown in Figures 4 and 5, is polished metal and has skirts which extend down in front and back to a straight bottom edge at level 520B (see Figures 4 and 5). This level is just slightly above the level 520C which is the top level oi the main front and back presser heads 36 and 37 which press the front and back parts of the shirt body. In this respect the presser heads 36 and 37 are somewhat modified in that they are made straight across at the y top at level 520C. In other respects the shape and construction is as described in application Ser. No. 508,142. The distance between levels 520B and 520C may be made quite small, as for example 0.125 more or less.

Now by this construction it has been found that a certain novel result is obtained. Buck padding and covering used herein and in said prior application Ser. No. 508,142 is the standard form of padding composed 'of a multitude of small metal compression springs covered by a knitted spring wire cloth which is in turn covered by textile padding and a tough exterior covering. Such buck padding has two kinds of compression, (1 a ternporary compression during each pressing operation, with resilient recovery between operations, and (2) a permanent settling which increases during the life of the pad.

The pressing machines presser heads have sufficient -travel so as to follow thru and maintain pressure to a certain limit of movement which is beyond the range 6 of compression of the padding even when old. For each pressing operation there is rst contact with light pressure followed by increased pressure (and follow thru movement) of the presser heads against the garment on the padding. As stated in the aforesaid application, the operational linkages for carrying the main presser heads 36 and 37 is such that they are drawn slightly downward as they move toward the buck 2 and this produces a slight sliding of the polished surfaces of such heads downwardly with reference to the buck 2. This is desirable per se in ythat it enhances the finish on the Ibody portions of the shirt which are contacted by such presser heads.

Now, according to this invention, advantage is taken of this slight downward movement of the heads during the follow thru movement of the heads 36 and 37 as they exert increased pressure on the buck 2 and hence compress the padding. Upon first contact of the heads 36 and 37 with the garment on the buck, the upper edge of pressure heads 36 and 37 at 520C will contact the garment at a certain horizontal line, and the pressing begins at this line. Then as the presser heads follow thru, they draw down contact. Meanwhile the lower edge 520B of the yoke presser head 520 also follows down to an extent determined by the compressive deflection of the padding 501 over the top of the buck which can in turn be controlled by varying the stiffness of the padding spring system. As a consequence, the clearance space between levels 520B and 520C shifts appreciably downward by during the follow thru of the presser heads, but the shirt on the padding does not appreciably change position. At least a portion of the original clearance space is thus effectively overlapped and ironed. Any portion of the clearance area of the garment which is not actually contacted by the presser heads will thus be very slight, and less than the original clearance before the follow through and even such portion is dried by the hot buck and adjacent hot presser head edges. The net result is that the shirt is finished without appreciable or noticeable mark between the areas finished by the presser heads 36, 37 and 520.

In Figure 6, the presser head 520 is padded with a resilient pad 531 which is curved out around the edges at 531A and 531B on the under side and the yoke part 52 of the buck is not padded but is polished metal and is shaped so that its outer surface abuts substantially flush with the edges of the pads 50 and 51 on the front portion 40 and rear portion 41 of the buck. In this form, when the shirt is on the buck the padded under surface of yoke presser head 520 gradually seats down until its edges 531A and 531B are closely adjacent to or.

three steam chests of the buck (the front main chest 44;

the rear main chest 45 and the top or yoke chest 52) from steam inlet line 4B branches extend within the machine to each of the steam chests of the main presser heads 36 and 37 and to the steam chest of the yoke presser head mechanisms 500. Thus steam is provided to all presser heads and bucks.

The condensate return from the steam chests 44, 45 and 52 of buck 2 are collected on the buck and returned via line 4C. The condensate return from the presser head chests 36 and 37 are joined and returned via line 4D. The condensate return from yoke presser head mechanism 500 is via a separate line 4E. If desired separate condensate returns from the main presser head slightly from the line of initial' line 548 to quick-exhaust valve 545,

chests 3.6 .and .37 may be. made separate. Each of the condensatefreturn lines 4C, 4D and. 4E is provided with a. separate trap, .not illustrated, which is exterior to the machine.

The controlsv for the pressing machine of the present invention .can be made identical with those disclosed in application Serial No. 508,142 with the modifications stated below. Thus, Figures 7 (upper part) and 7 (lower part) correspond to Figures 17 (upper part) and 1.7 (lower part) respectively of the aforesaid application .except as modiled as follows:

Air line 435 which in the aforesaid application runs directly from port 434 to metering valve 436 is, according to the present invention, modified by having a valve inserted therein. This is accomplished by interrupting line 435 between points 435A and 435D. Thus from 435A a line 435C extends to valve 534 which is positioned' on. ,some convenient. place on the machine frame so as to be operated to one position (valve open), as

shown in Figure '7 (upper part) when the rocker arm- 505 ifs in the raised position shown. In Figure 7 (upper part) the valve `534 is .shown as being actuated by one of vthe cross plates 505B, which for ease of illustration is. .shown extended ,rearwardly on arm 505. It will be understood. that valve 534 is located on some convenient place l,so as to be engaged by any part of the arm 505 when the latter swings to the open -position shown. vThe stern, 535 of valve 534 when not engaged by rocker arm 505 moves outwardly (due to an internal spring in the valve.) and closes the valve. From valve 534 line 435B connects `back to junction 435D.

The, result of this is as follows: Valve 315 when actuated to one. of. its positions `in the normal cycle of the machine permits a ow of air from port 324, thru metering valve 436 via line 435 to port 434 of cylinder 78, which actuates in a direction to move the buck from the pressing station to the loading station. However, such movement does .not inthe present invention occur until the rocker arm 505 of the yoke press has returned to the fully open position. This is to insure that no interference occurs between the yoke presser mechanism 500 and the buck 2 when the latter moves from pressing position, to loading position.

vThe actuation of the yoke presser head is accomplished by interlocking` its operation with the motor mechanism which actuates the main presser heads 36 and 37. This is accomplished as follows: Adjacent the path of motion of some portion of the linkage which actuates main presser heads36 and 37 there is positioned a three way valve 540 having an operating stem positioned to be engaged by a lever 541. The lever has a roller (not illustrated) on its outer end, which is engaged by the .main presser 'head operating linkages, here illustrated as the crosshead 2,37, when the latter has moved most of the distance in its course from press open to press closed position. When lever 541 is so operated it actuates valve 540 and air is admitted from inlet port 543 to delivery port 544 and exhaust port 546 is closed. Compressed air therefore flows from port 544 and via and thru it to cylinder 514 which therefore actuates from the press open condition (shown in full lines) to the press closed condition (shown in dotted lines), where yoke presser head S20 is against the upper portion 52 of buck 2. The quick exhaust valve 545 is identical with that shown at .381 and so longr as pressure is applied via port 544 to line 548 exhaust 547 remains closed and air under pressure is delivered to cylinder 5.14. When line 543 is exhausted, a little, valve 545 opens and quickly exhausts the balance of the air from cylinder 514 via exhaust 547. The exhaust ofjline S48 occurs as the linkages (here illustrated as crosshead 237) which operate the main presser ,heads 36 and 37 begins its return from press closed to press open position. Thus as crosshead. 23.7 runs out of contact with 542,. valve 540 is no longer actuated and retracts outward. due to an interval valve spring, and in so doing closes Off the path `from supply port '543v to delivery port 544 and. opens a passage from port S44 to exhaust 546. Air immediately rbegins to exhaust via mufer 549 from line 548 (and cylinder 514), and when the pressure has dropped a little, the quick exhaust valve 545 takes over and very rapidly completes the exhaust as described.

The complete operative cycle is as follows:

Operation-It will be assumedv that the buck .2 has been moved, by virtue of a previous operation, to the loading position shown in Figure l. It is also assumed that air is applied under pressure to the port 318 of the 4-way valve 315 and to the port 366 of valve 365 of the timer 348. All air for the machine is supplied by way of the service connection 4H and electricity is supplied via the line connection 4G. Electricity is used for lights and for electricity timer, where used. Of course, external shutoff valves and switches arecustomarily provided in all air lines and electrical supply lines for shutting down the machine, but for purposes of this explanation, it will be assumed that these valves and switches are in the on condition and air is applied as indicated by the darkened arrows adjacent these ports and electricity is supplied for lights, such electrical elements as are used, etc. Under this condition, the cylinder 129 has no air in it and the springs 32 have, accordingly, pulled back on the lever 126, thereby lifting the stop 124, and the movement of the buck structure 2 back to the loading position has caused the engagement of the plate 119A on rocker arm 119, thereby forming a rm stop by means of which the drag link 116 is held and this has caused the operating rod 66 of the buck structure to be elevated as the buck is moved, in its previous operation to the loading position. Accordingly, the collar clamp was moved to the open position where it remains and rod 66 then drew down clear; the sleeve supports 136K and 136L are in the retracted position shown in Figure 6 of Serial No. 508,142, the wings 49K and 49L `are likewise retracted, and the tail clamp mechanism 137 is moved to the out position.

The operator then takes a shirt which has previously been processed through several pressing operations which result in the pressing of all areas of the shirt except for the right and left front panels R and L, Figure 1, and the. back of the .shirt and the yoke. With the collar in the flat condition (unfolded so as to all lie in one plane), the shirt is then dressed onto the buck 2 and put in the position shown in Figure l. The operator locates the button of the collar and the button-hole of the opposite portion of the collar appropriately and then pulls down on the knob 214 to bring the clamping plate into engagement with the collar button and collar buttonhole areas, thus firmly holding them in place. The operator then smoothes the back of the shirt down against the buck by reaching around the sides of the buck and pulling down and slightly forward on the shirt-tail. Any wrinkles over the as yet unironed yoke of the shirt and front and back of the shirt are smoothed out at this time. Then the operator grasps the lower portions of the button strip BS and the button-hole strip BHS and holds them down and draws them towards each other, as indicated by the arrows force component 112 and 113 of Figure l. The operator then. places her foot on the treadle 135. Air then enters from supply 336 of timer valve 34S (Figure 7, upper port) through the normally open valve 365. Air continues via line 367 to port 393 of the treadle-operated valve 397. The operation of the treadle closes off the exhaust port 399 and permits air to flow through valve 397 from port 398 `to port 402, whence it continues via line 396 to junction 395. Air at junction 395 continues via line. 407 through check valve 403 and line 410 to valves 299, which at this time is the unguarding position of door 8 (see Figure l)v position, and hence. the pin 309 of the door 8 has not f 9 operated the valve 299. Air accordingly does not at this time pass through the valve 299 but simply stands against the valve ready to be used.

From junction 395 air passes via line 394 into the cylinder 129, which therefore moves the lever 122 in a counterclockwise direction, as shown in Figure 7. This has the eliect of lowering the stop 124, see Figure 7, from the full line to the dotted line position 124A, and due to the pressures exerted by the various springs within the buck 2, the control rods 66-66A within'the buck structure, move downwardly. When this occurs, all of the movable elements of the buck 2 are actuated from the retracted position to the pressing position, shown in Figure 5. This has the eiect of projecting the buck wings 49R and 49L so as to draw the shirt taut upon the buck, at the same time the tail clamp mechanism 137 is operated to hold the lower portion of the shirt. Likewise, the sleeve supporting rods 136K and 136L are projected outwardly.

While still maintaining pressure on the foot 'pedal 1.35, the operator then takes hold of the handle 8A ou the door 8 and moves it from the position shown in Figure 2 to a fully projected position, as illustrated in Figure 7 (lower part), and when this occurs, the pin 309 on the door enters into engagement with the actuating plate 308 of the valve 299 and air under pressure is admitted through the valve via line 411 to junction 412. From junction 412 air under pressure extends through line 371 to the normally closed valve 369 of the timer 348. This valve remains closed until the timer has operated it and hence, no ow occurs through this line at this time. From junction 412, air under pressure is also admitted via line 414 to junction 415 and from the latter to line 416 to port 327 of the pilot cylinder of valve 326. Air is also admitted through line 417 and air rate ow control valve 418 to port 325 of the'pilot cylinder of valve 315. The piston 328 of pilot valve 326 is immediately pushed downwardly against the action of spring 329. The first thing that occurs is for the valve port 334, which normally maintained a clear passage through the exhaust channel 331 to the exhaust port 330, to descend into engagement with the Valve point 335 of the mov able valve element 336. This closes ot the exhaust port 330. Further downward movement of the piston 328 then pushes the valve element 336 from its normally closed to its normally open position, against the action of spring 341. This causes the valve port 338 to be opened and will allow ow from port 340 to port 342 of valve 326. This is preparatory. At the same time, communication is established via port 344 and channel 245 to port 346 to the top of piston 328 which at this time is down.

Air under pressure against the piston 316 of the other pilot valve 315 causes that piston to be moved to the right as shown in Figure 17. It may be explained that the valve 315 has a normal position with the piston 316 to the left as shown in Figure 7 (lower part)y and when this occurs, communication is established between port 318 and port 322 and between port 319 and port 324. Thus, before the piston 316 has been operated as now indicated, the air under pressure standing against port 318 has been in communication with the port 324 and through the air flow regulator valve 436 and via line 435 to port 434 of the cylinder 78. Air under pressure 011` this port of cylinder 78 has caused the piston rod 79 to be Imoved in the direction of 104, which therefore caused the buck to be moved to the loading position. Now, however, when the piston 316 of valve 315 is moved to the dotted position, i. e., to the right, as shown in Figure 7 (lower part) communication betweenport 321 and port 322 is interrupted and instead, port 322 yis connected to the air supply port 318. Likewise, communications between the air supply port 318 and port 324 which had been in etiect is interrupted and port 324 is connected to the exhaust port 319 and exhaust' mumer 320. AirA under pressure thus entering from supply port318 to port 322 is communicated via line 427 to junction 428. This applies pressure via line 429 to port 340 of valve 326, and since the valve element 336 has been operated, air under pressure is then communicated through valve port 338 to port 342 and thence via line 377 to valve 375. The valve 375 is normally closed until its valve stem 374 is actuated by engagement of the adjustable stop screw 372 therewith. At this time therefore, valve 375 is closed since the adjustable stop screw 372 is carried on the rocker arm 119, and it is assumed that the buck has not yet been pulled all the way to the pressing position between the presser head 36 and 37. Accordingly, air is standing against the valve 375 preparatory to actuation of the presser heads, but such does not yet occur.

Referring again to junction 428, (lower right portion Figure 7, lower part) air also then passes through the air flow regulator valve 430 and via line 431 to port 432 of the cylinder 78. When the air is applied to this port the piston rod 79 is pushed in the direction of arrow 102, which causes the buck to be drawn from the left to the right as shown in Figure 1 that is to say, from the loading position 1 to the pressing position 3. Therefore, the cylinder piston 78 begins to actuate, and at a rate which is determined by the air ow regulator valve 430. The buck then begins its movement toward the pressing position. The operator meanwhile holds her foot on the treadle which actuates the valve 397 until 'the buck has moved a prescribed distance toward, but not yet to, the pressing position and in so doing swings lever 119 counterclockwise. After the drag link 119 has been drawn upwardly to or above the position corresponding to the dotted line position of part 119A, as shown in Figure 7 (upper part) the plate 119A can no longer remain in engagement with the stop 124 even though the stop 124 should be permitted to rise to the dotted line position shown at 124 in Figure 7 (upper part). Therefore, the buck clamping mechanisms will remain in the clamped position even though the operator removes her foot from the treadle 135, which has the effect of removing air from the cylinder 129. The exhaust of air from this cylinder is from port 392 of cylinder 129 to line 394, thence to junction 395, thence through line 396 to the valve 397, which is in the de-actuating condition. Air is accordingly no longer supplied from port 398 to port 402, but port 398 is closed otf and port 402 is put into communication with port 399, thereby permitting exhausting of the air through the ow regulator valve 405 andthe exhaust muier 406. It will be noted that air is also exhausted from line 407, but not from line 410 since the check valve 390 prevents tiow in this direction. The rate of exhaust of the cylinder 129 is controlled by the iiow valve 405 and therefore cushions the retraction of the lever 122 under the inuence of spring 32.

As piston 79 moves in the direction of arrow 102 to its tinal position in which the buck is between the presser heads 36 and 37, the rocker arm 119 has been drawn to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 7 (upper part) and adjustable stop screw 372 then engages the valve stem 374 of valve 375. This screw can be very accurately adjusted so as to time the admission of air to the squeezing cylinder 232 when the buck has reached an exact position between the presser heads 36 and 37. The actuation of valve 375 then permits air (which has been standing under pressure against valve 375) to continue from line 377 through line 379 through the air tlow rate control valve 391 to port 390 of the quick exhaust valve 381. Air under pressure moves through channel 389 around the valve disc 384 and against its lower surface as shown in Figure 17, thereby closing 0E the exhaust port 386. Air then continues through the port 382 and the large pipe 380 to the squeezing cylinder 232. The rateof actuation of the piston in cylinder 232 is controlled by the rate control valve 391, which is adjustable for determining the speed at which the presser 1 headsv 36 and 37 close upon the buck. When the crosshnad 237 moves to approximately the press closed position, it engages and actuates valve 540` and air is admitted to cylinder 514 which then brings the yoke presser head 520 down on the portion 52 of the buck.

The pressing time portion of the cycle now ensues, the duration being determined as follows:

The movement of the rocker arm 119 from. the -full line to the dotted line position, as shown in Figure 7 (upper part) also draws the spring 352 around and thereby imposes the force upon the lower end of the actuating lever 350 of the timer valve 348. Normally, this lever rests against the adjustable stop screw 351 as already described, but when the lever 119 is in the dotted line position of Figure 7 (upper part), the lever 359 will be drawn in a counter clockwise direction, thereby causing the shaft 349 to rotate the lever, 356 in a counter clockwise direction. The iirst elect of this rotation is to remove the pin 362 from` engagement with the stem of valve 365 and this shuts oif the ow of air through, from supply 366 tov lines 367 and thence against the valve 397. This is an optional safety feature. lf desired valve 365 may be discarded and air supply connected directly to line 367. Then after a .certain time period which is determined by the rate of rotation of the lever 356, the pin 364 will enter into engagement with the stem 368 of the normally closed valve section 369 of the timer valve 34S. The rate of rotation of the lever 356 (and hence the timing) is determined bythe dashpot 358 and this is, in turn, controlled by the adjustment 361 on the by-pass line 360 of the oil dash pot. Accordingly, after a certain length of time, the normally closed valve 369 is opened and this permits all circuits. connected to line 371 to be exhausted to atmosphere through the line 370. An electric `timer may be used as described in the aforesaid application. Accordingly, the junction 412 isy exhausted back to the check valve 469, and including the valve 299. This is preparatory to subsequent operation. The line 414 is also ,exhausted via junction 412, and this removes air under pressure from the operating sides of the pilot piston 32S of valve 326 and pilot piston 316 of valve 315. Accordingly, each piston is moved to its full line position as shown in Figure 7 (lower part) under the influence of internal springs in the valve. However, the rate of exhaust of the air against pistons standing against piston 316 is regulated by the air ow rate control valve 418. By' adjustment, this valve can delay the initiation of out-travel of the buck until after the presse-r heads 36 and 37 start to open and such movement canno-t, according to this invention, occur until valve 534 is opened, when the yoke presser 500 returns to press open condition. However, the movement ofthe piston 328 is not delayed, and its iirst effect is tov close the valve 337 against the seat 338, and then to open the valve 334-335. This has the effect of exhausting line 377 to atmosphere via port 330. The line 377 exhausts through valve 375 and line 379 and the rate control valve 391 to port 390 of the quick exhaust valve 381. As soon as pressure is reduced slightly in the quick exhaust valve 3.81, it will permit the diaphragm valve washer 384 to move away from its seat 386 and then the air can very quickly exhaust around thaty valve through the large exhaust port 387 to atmosphere. The use of the quick exhaust valve 381 hasv the etect of very quickly exhausting the cylinder 232 as soon as the pressure in the line 379 is slightly reduced. Accordingly, the presser heads 36 and `37 can be caused to quickly open. When this occurs valve 540 is moved to exhaust condition and yoke presser air motor 514 is quickly exhausted and in so doing moves the mechanism 500 to press open condition and in so doingoperates valve 534 to open condition. Meanwhile, due, to 'the delaying action of the rate control valve 418, piston 316 of the valve 315 has moved to the left (full line position) as shown in Figure 7 (lower part), thereby re-establishing,communication between ports 322 and321and between por-ts 324 and318. Air under pres- Cil i of shirts and the ilke frame at said sure is thereby introduced through the air flow rate con` trol valve 436 to junction 435D. Thence air flow may proceed only if valve 534 is open If it is open (or as soon as it opens) air flows to junction 435A and via line 435 to port 434 of cylinder 78, which therefore causes the piston 79 to be retracted. (move in the direction of arrow 104), and this begins moving the buck out from between the then open heads 36 and 37 and out from under presser head 520. The rate at which it does so is adjustable at valve 436. As the piston rod 79 moves in the direction of arrow 104, this has the elect of driving the air which was already under pressure in the opposite end of the cylinder out through the port 432. This air then moves through the rate control valve 43) to junction 428, where it stands in line 429 against the now closed valve 337-338. However, the air is free to move from junction 428 via line 427 and port 322, thence through valve 315 to port 321 and via line 426 to junction 422. From junction 422, the air can move in two directions. It moves through the line 424 and the rate control valve 425 and through exhaust muier 426 to atmosphere. However, the rate control valve 425 is pinched down and, accordingly, some of the air is forced from junctionv 422 to travel through the rate control valve 421 and line 420 into the port 419 of the cylinder 292, thereby causing the piston rod in this cylinder to be actuated to the right as shown in Figure 7 (lower part). This moves the lever 283 in a counter clockwise direction, thereby retracting the door 8 from its guarding position to the unguarding position shown in Figure l. However, as the piston 292 has been fully actuated, the air standing atV junction 428 may gradually exhaust through the rate control valve 425 to exhaust muffler 426 and to atmosphere.

It is apparent that many modicationsand variations of this invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The specific embodiments described are given by way of ex- -ample only and the invention is limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

In the claims:

1. A press for finishing the body and shoulder portions garments comprising a frame, an upright body-like buck upon which the shirt or the like garment may be dressed, said buck being shaped to provide shoulder portions upon which the shoulders of a garment such as a shirt are adapted to be dressed and front and back body portions upon which the front and back portions of the shirt below the shoulders are adapted to be dressed, said buck being mounted for translatory motion on said frame from a loading position to a pressing position, a pair of body presser heads mounted on the pressing position embracing and substantially enclosing the body portions of said buck with the shoulder portions of the buck exposed, moving means for translating the buck from said loading position to a pressing position between said body presser heads when they are apart, a shoulder presser head, means mounting said shoulder presusre head at said pressing position for vertical movement from a clear position above said body presser heads, in which position said shoulder presser head does not interfere with movement of said buck to a pressing position in which said shoulder presser head embracingly encloses substantially all of said buck not embraced by said body presser and power means for moving said body presser heads and shoulder presser head into and out of engagement with said buck for pressing the body and shoulder portions of the garment dressed thereon.

2. The press of claim 1 further characterized in that the lowermost edge of said shoulder presser head is slightly spaced froml the upper edges of said body presser heads when the presser heads engage the buck.

3. The press of claim 1 further characterized in that .said buck is covered.- With a resilient padding, said body presser heads slide and move their upper edges slightly downward as they press with increased pressure against the buck and the shoulder presser head resiliently compresses the padding of said buck and the lower edges thereof follow the slight downward movement of said body presser heads as the shoulder presser head presses with increased pressure upon the buck.

4. The press of claim 1 further characterized in that said power means includes separate motor means for actuating said body presser heads and said shoulder presser head and interlocked control means is provided for sequentially operating said moving means for translating the buck to a position between said body presser heads, for then actuating said body presser heads to bring them towards the buck and then actuating said shoulder presser head.

5. The press of claim 4 further characterized in that said interlocked control means is made for moving all presser heads to clear positions out of engagement with said buck from between the body presser heads.

6. The press of claim l further characterized in that said buck is padded continuously where engaged by said presser heads and the presser heads are polished.

7. The press of claim 1 further characterized in that said shoulder presser head is padded and the portion of the buck engaged thereby is polished metal, the portions of said buck which are engaged by said body presser heads being padded. g

8. The press of claim 1 further characterized in that underneath each of those portions of the buck which are engaged by the' front body portion presser head, the back body portion presser head and the shoulder presser head there is provided a separate steam chest.

9. The press of claim l further characterized in that said body portion presser heads and shoulder presser heads are provided with steam chests and each steam chest is provided with a steam inlet and condensate return line.

l0. The press of claim 9 further characterized in that at least the condensate return line of said shoulder presser head is separate.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,483,812 Davis et al. Oct. 4, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION vPatent Noo 2,875,929 March 3; 1959 Ole IL Langen et al,

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the' above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as lcorrected below.

Column .2, line' 58;, for 'Yeonc'lenatel read L condensate de; column oy vline 20, for "pressure" read presser =f; column l()y line 5l,- or "Cheek valve 39C" read -m .cheek valve 490 column 12j line .43p for "ilke" read m like line' 59, for npresuszr'e" read se presserew,

Signed and sealed this 14th Aday o July 1959 (SEAL) Attest: v

KARL H., AXLINE ROBERT C. WATSON Commissioner of Patents Attesting Ocer 

